Corer for grapefruit, etc.



Jan. 21, 1936.

P. J. OTHS GORER FOR GRAPEFRUIT, ETC 7 Filed -Feb.. 17, 1932 2 Sheets-Sheet l Patented Jan. 21, 1936 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE comm FOR. GRAPEFRUIT, ETC. Peter J. Oths, West Haven, Conn. Application February 17, 1932, Serial No. 593,503'

8 Claims.

. This invention relates to an improvement in corers, and particularly to corers for grapefruit and other citrous fruit, though not so limited.

The main object of my present invention is to provide a durable, reliable and efiective corer capable of transversely severing a fruit core with a. minimum of effort and a minimum of manipuw lation on the part of the user.

With the above andother objects in view, as will appear from the following, my invention consists in a corer having certain features of construction and combinations and arrangements of parts as will be hereinafterdescribed and particularly recited in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings: Fig. 1 is a. view in side elevation of one form which a grapefruit-corer embodying my invention may assume; 5 Fig. 2 is a similar view, but viewing the carer from a right angle to the position in which it is viewed in Fig. 1; l i Fig. 3 is an under-side view thereof on a larger scale; a Fig.4 is a view in central longitudinal section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1 but on a larger scale; a Fig. 5 is a view corresponding to Fig. 4, but showing the parts in the positions which they as- .sume when-the plunger has been depressed to swing the pivotalcutters downward and inward toward eachother for severing a core; l Fig. 6 is a view in central longitudinal sectio taken on the line 6-6 of Fig. 2 but on a scale similar tothat of Figs. 4 and 5;

Fig. 7 is a transverse sectional view taken on the .line 1-1 of Fig. .4; H i

Fig. 8 is a similar view taken on the line 8-8 of Fig.4;

. Fig. 9 is a corresponding view taken on the line '9-9 ofFig. 4; v Fig. 10 is a perspective view of the two complementary frame-members, detached; and Q Fig. 11 isa-view in side elevation of-the two complementary pivotal cutters, detached.

, The particular grapefruit-corer herein chosen for the illustration ofmy invention consists, as shown, of. two corresponding oppositely-arranged sheet-metal frame-members Ill-I5, each consisting of a-shank-portion I6 transversely struck upinto semicircular cross-sectional, form and an .outwardly and downwardly sloping arm I! ter- Iminating in a vertical transversely-curved cut- ..ting-finger 18 having its extreme lower edge sharpened as at I9. The upper end of each,

posite ends of its transversely-curved form with lugs 20-20 adapted toabut against the corresponding lugs of the complementary frame-member to hold the upper end of both in proper spaced relationship when the members are assembled to- 5 gether in opposed juxtaposition, as shown. Interposed between the two oppositely-faced frame-members |5-|5 immediately above the respective arms I! thereof is a short cylindrical spacing-plug 2| which, together with the lugs 20, 10 serves to maintain the said frame-members in parallel spaced relationship,so as to provide on the respective opposite sides of the assembled frame-members a pair of longitudinal slots 22-22 in which slidesan inverted U-shaped crosshead 15 23 formed of relatively-heavy sheet-metal. V The said cross-head 23 is formed centrally with a depending guide-tongue 24 fitting into the upper end of a helical spring 25 housed between the semicircular shank-portions 16 of the frame: members |5-|5 and bearing at its lower end against the spacing-plug 2| before referred to.

Applied to the outer faces of the shank-pore tions l6 of the respective frame-members |5-|5 are inverted L-shaped sheet-metal finger-grip members 26-26, each having a vertical reach 21 transversely curved to fit the exterior surface of its complementary shank-portion l6 and an out-. wardly-projecting finger-portion 28. Extending through'the lower ends of each of the finger-grip members 26-26 and throughthe shanks l6 and diametrically through the spacing-plug 2| is a rivet 29 serving to secure the said members together. q 1

Sleeved over the upper ends of the shank-portions l6 of the assembled frame-members |5-|5 is a ferrule 30, the respective opposite side-walls of which are inwardly-turned to form lockingfingers 3|-3| which extend into the slots 22-22 and engage the under-face of the lugs 20 so as to firmly bind the upper ends of the two framemembers |5-|5 together.

Mounted with capacity for reciprocation in the tubular space between the upper ends of the respective frame-members |5-|5 is a plunger-rod 32 having riveted to its upper end a domical cap 33, and bearing at its lower end against the upper edge of the cross-head 23. Mounted in the plunger-rod 32, adjacent the lower end thereof, is a transverse stop-pin 34 adapted to ride in the longitudinal slots 22-22 between the respective frame-members |5-|5 and normally resting against the under-face of the locking-fingers 3l-3|, as clearly shown in Fig. 4, inwhich position the said pin. servesto limit the upward move- Giuous circular cutting-edge for the corer.

ment of the cross-head 23 under the urge of the spring 25.

Pivotally attached by means of rivets 3535 to the respective arms of the inverted U-shaped cross-head 23 are thrust-transmitting links 33-36 formed of sheet-metal folded into substantially U-shaped form in cross-section. The respective lower ends of the links 36-456 are pivotally connected by means of rivets 31-31 to the upper ends respectively of upwardly and inward.- ly curved arms 38-38. The arms 38-38 respectively upstand from within transverselycurved pivotal cutting-blades 39 and 40, against the inner face of which they are respectively .secured by providing each arm with an integral shank 4| extending through the complementary blade and riveted over on the outer, face thereof, as clearly shown in Figs. 4 and 5.

The pivotal cutting-blade 39 has the outer face of its loweredgechamfered as at 42 to provide a sharp cutting-edge and is pivotally mounted at itsrespective opposite ends by means of rivets 43-43 to the cutting-fingers 18 of the respective frame-members l5-l5. The cutting-blade 59 is pivotally mounted by means of rivets "-44 to the said cutting-fingers I8 at a point slightly above the rivets 43 and on the opposite side of the median line of the said fingers 18. The lower edge of the said cutting-blade 49 is chamfered as at 45 on its inner face to provide a cutting-edge adapted to slightly overlap the cutting-edge of the blade 39 when the said blades are swung inwardly toward each other, asshown in Fig. 5.

V In using the improved corer herein chosen for illustration, the domical cap is'placed in the palm of the hand and the fingers of the hand are extended downward beneath the finger-grip por ti ons"28 of the members 26. "I'hellower end of e the corer is now placed over the core of a. fruit and rotated or oscillated about its longitudinal axis until the blades 39 and 4!],together with the cutting-fingers] 8, have penetrated to the desired depth. Thedomical cap 33 is now depressed by squeezing the same toward thefinger-grip members 26, with the effect of swinging the cutters 39 and 4D downwardly and inwardly toward each other intothe positions shown in Fig. 5, so as to transversely sever the core. Without relaxing the grip, the corer is withdrawn from the fruit, bringing with it the severed core, and when the plunger 32 is again permitted to rise under the urge of the spring 25, the severed core will drop free of the cutting-blades. 7

By providing the two complementary pivotal blades capable o'f'being swung toward each'other by an operating-member acting concurrently on both, I have produced a corer which is capable of being used with the utmost facility and adapted to act'without unduly mashing the fruit, as is the case when lever-action cutters are employed.

The effectiveness of the corer is markedly improved by the cutting-edges of the fingers l8, whichserve to span the gaps between the blades 39 and lfl and thus create a substantially-contintion, but only as indicated in the appended claims.

I claim:

1. Ina corer, the combination with a frame having a tube-like upper portion of a pair of transversely-curved cutters pivotally secured to the lower end of the said frame and adapted to swing transversely with respect thereto toward each other; a reciprocating operating-member projecting from the tube-like upper portion of the said frame with capacity for reciprocating movement therein; a downwardly-yielding compression-spring housed in the tube-like portion of the said frame; and a pair of pivotal thrusttransmitting links connecting the said reciprocating operating-member to the said pivotal blades for concurrently swinging both of the same toward each other.

2. In a corer, the combination with a two-part frame consisting of two complementary framemembers, each having a shank transversely bowed and secured together in position to form a chamber therebetween; a pair of transverselycurved cutters pivotally secured to the lower end of the said two-part frame and adapted to swing transversely with respect thereto toward each other; a reciprocating operatingmember mounted for reciprocating movement between the two said frame-members and projecting from the upper end thereof and operatively connected to the said pivotal cutters by a pair of thrust-transmitting links for concurrently' swinging the said cutters toward each other; and a spring located in the space between the two said complementary frame-members for normally holding the said pivotal cutters in their retired positions.

' 3. Ina corer, the combination with a two-part frame, consisting oftwo complementary framemembers, each having a shank transversely bowed and secured together in position to form a chamber and two complementary longitudinal slots therebetween; a pair of transversely-curved cutters pivotally secured to the lower end of the said two-part frame and adapted to swing transversely with respect thereto toward each other; a cross-head extending diametrically through the said two-part frame and projecting outward on opposite sides thereof through the complementary slots formed therebetween; thrusttransmitting links connecting the projecting ends of the said cross-head to the said pivotal cutters; a spring located in the space between the two said complementary frame-members and engaged with the said cross-head for normally holding the said pivotal cutters in their retired positions; and means for reciprocating the said cross-head to effect the operation of the said pivotal cutters.

.4. In a corer, the combination with a two-part frame, consisting of two complementary framemembers, each having a shank transversely bowed and secured together in position to form a chamber and two complementary longitudinal slots therebetween; a pair of transversely-curved cutters pivotally secured to the lower end of the said two-part frame and adapted to swing transversely with respect thereto toward each other; a cross-head extending diametrically through the said two-part frame and projecting outward on opposite sides thereof through the complementary slots formed therebetween; a thrust-transmitting link connecting each of the projecting ends of the said cross-head to one of the said pivotal cutters; a spring located in the space between the two said complementary frame-members and engaged with the said cross-head for normally holding the said pivotal cutters in their retired positions; and a reciprocating plunger adapted to reciprocate in the chamber formed between the two said. frame-members and bearing against the said cross-head to effect the operation of the said pivotal cutters.

5. In a corer, the combination with a two-part frame, consisting of two complementary framemembers, each having a shank transversely bowed and secured together in position to form a chamber therebetween; a ferrule sleeved over the exterior of the upper end of the said framemembers for coupling the same together; a pair of transversely-curved cutters pivotally secured to the opposite end of the said two-part frame and adapted to swing transversely with respect thereto; a reciprocating operating-member mounted for reciprocating movement between the two said frame-members and projecting outwardly through the said ferrule and operatively connected to the said pivotal cutters for concurrently swinging the same toward each other; and a spring located in the space between the two said complementary frame-members for normally holding the said pivotal cutters in their retired positions.

6. In a carer, the combination with a two-part frame, consisting of two complementary framemembers, each having a shank transversely bowed and secured together in position to form a chamber therebetween; Va ferrule sleeved over the exterior of the upper end of the said framemembers for coupling the same together; a spacing-plug mounted between the two said frame-members in spaced relationship below the said ferrule; a pair of transversely-curved pivotal cutters secured to one end of the said two-part frame and adapted to swing transversely with respect thereto toward each other; a reciprocating operating-member mounted for reciprocating movement between the two said frame-members and projecting outwardly through the said ferrule and operatively connected to the said pivotal cutters for concurrently swinging the same toward each other; and a spring located in the space between the said two complementary frame-members and interposed between the said spacing-plug and the said reciprocating operating-member for normally holding the latter in its retired position.

'7. In a corer, the combination with a frame having two oppositely-located spaced-apart fixed cutting-fingers; of a pair of pivotal cutters reversely bowed with respect to each other and respectively positioned on opposite sides of and pivoted to, the said cutting-fingers, and forming together therewith a substantiallycontinuous tubular cutting edge at the lower end of the said frame; and operating-means for swinging the said pivotal cutters toward each other.

8. A fruit core extractor, comprising a tubular handle, spaced arms projected from one end thereof, a pair of cutter jaws having pivots on said arms, and forming a circular cutter for separation of a core, a rod slidable in said handie, and connections between said rod and cutter jaws to give a scoop operation to said cutter jaws at the end of their cutting operation, each cutter-jaw having the general form of a portion of the surface of a cylinder and the lower edges of said arms forming spaced-apart fixed cutters.

PETER J. OTHS. 

